French Clothing Vocabulary
French fashion is legendary, and if you plan to shop in Paris or simply want to describe your outfit in French, clothing vocabulary is a must. Every French clothing word has a grammatical gender, and this guide teaches you both the word and its gender together so you get it right from the start.
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Everyday Clothing — Vêtements du Quotidien
These are the staples of any wardrobe. Pay close attention to the article (un/une, le/la) as it tells you the gender of each noun.
In French, "pantalon" is singular — un pantalon, not "des pantalons." This is different from English where "pants" is always plural, and also different from Spanish where "pantalones" is plural.
Outerwear — Les Manteaux et Vestes
France has four distinct seasons, so outerwear vocabulary is used all the time. From light jackets to heavy winter coats, these words cover every layer.
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Accessories & Footwear — Accessoires et Chaussures
French has specific, elegant vocabulary for accessories. The word for shoes, chaussures, comes from the Latin "calceare" meaning to put on shoes.
French uses "baskets" (from basketball shoes) for sneakers. In Quebec, you might hear espadrilles or running shoes instead.
Shopping Phrases in French
Ready to shop in French? These phrases will help you navigate any boutique:
- Quelle est votre taille ? — What is your size?
- Je fais du 38 — I am a size 38
- Je peux essayer ? — Can I try it on?
- Où sont les cabines d’essayage ? — Where are the fitting rooms?
- C’est en solde — It is on sale
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "clothes" in French?
The word is les vêtements (lay vet-mahn), a masculine plural noun. You can also use les habits (lay zah-bee) in more casual speech. "Je porte des vêtements" means "I am wearing clothes."
Do clothing words change with gender in French?
French nouns have fixed grammatical gender, so each clothing item is either masculine or feminine. You must learn the gender with each word. For example, une robe (dress) is feminine and un manteau (coat) is masculine. The gender does not change based on who wears the item.
How do you say "to wear" in French?
The verb is porter. For example, "Je porte une chemise" means "I am wearing a shirt." You can also use mettre (to put on) when talking about getting dressed: "Je mets mon manteau" (I am putting on my coat).
What is the difference between chemise and chemisier?
Une chemise is a standard button-down shirt, typically masculine in style. Un chemisier is a women’s blouse with a shirt-like collar. Despite the similar names, they refer to different garments.
Are French and English clothing sizes the same?
No. France uses European sizing. A French 38 is roughly a US size 8 for women. The word for size is la taille for clothing and la pointure for shoes.